A/N: Are you all ready for romance? Because I sure am! Even though none of you know me personally nor care about my love life I feel the need to say that I'm finally in a relationship with with the boy who I am CRAZY about and have been for a very long time :D So I was in such a good mood that I decided to put up this chapter super early! Also there is a point in this chapter when it says 'time jump' which just means it's jumping forward in time. Pretty straight forward, right? Yah I thought so.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: I realize Yami is not his real name, but I don't really care. I explain it a little bit more in the companion story "Everything" but for now, just don't worry about it! Also, hikari means light, I'm pretty sure that's self explanatory. Finally, Rebecca Hopkins is not in Season 0 so like Marik I pretty much just based her off the other parts of Yu-Gi-Oh!

Disclaimer: Not Mine!

Serious. He was once again her tutor, not allowing her to slack; leaving no opportunity for flirting...it was strange she almost felt relieved somehow. She held to these times where she could tell when he was going to be in his serious verses his random flirtatious moods which were equally thrilling.

Plus it would have been nearly impossible to concentrate on science if he was distracting her. She had learned to work so well with him it almost didn't feel like struggling even when she was, more like treading water then drowning.

Although today was a close call, a whole week of frustrating help from impatient friends had made the knowledge she gleaned in class a little tinted but he replaced it with pure straight forward things that she slowly figured out how to follow though she was close to pulling out her own hair sometimes.

He didn't show it but she was sure he must want to pull out her hair sometimes too. By the end he could probably sense how much she wanted to cry because he didn't say anything for a long time, allowing her to cool down.

"You've done a lot better than I expected," He finally said reaching across the desk with a sigh to touch her hand lightly. She opened her eyes wearily, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I barely understand anything though," She said dryly and he chuckled slightly.

"But you haven't given up. You put in full effort and didn't allow yourself to be overwhelmed just because you didn't have a helping hand every step of the way. Even if you don't see it Anzu, you've made great progress," He said honestly, cold teacher's mask softening a little as he smiled at her slightly.

"So we're back on first name basis, hm?" She teased crossing her fingers that he'd be in a better mood after all her hard work and when she tightened her hand in his he teased his fingers through hers, making her sigh with relief. His lips quirked into a small smirk, telling her he noticed the reaction.

"What, you don't like me calling you by your first name? I'm pretty sure you're the one who asked me to call you that," He replied that playful glint in his crimson eyes as he stood up, pulling her along with him. They're hands created a bridge over the desk that neither of them broke as he stepped away, eyes locked on hers.

It felt like dancing, she thought with a tentative flutter of her heart, and he seemed to know what she was thinking because when he tugged her closer he raised his arm above her head, allowing her to spin once.

She giggled at the romantic gesture of traditional ballroom dancing, spinning just a little too far as she found them face to face, placing one hand on his chest to stop herself running straight into him the way she could in a performance. She'd done it so many times with Marik it felt like routine now.

Finding herself so close to him, hand touching his chest and feeling her own breath catch in her throat as he raised an eyebrow she backed off quickly, though not releasing his hand.

"I never said I didn't like you calling me by my first name, just that I never get to call you by yours. It hardly seems fair," She pouted, glad she was getting a little better at not blushing and stammering over the smallest event between them.

"Like I haven't given you enough hints. You know most of the letters!" He teased and she lidded her eyes as she thought, looking unintentionally seductive. It had been hard enough on him no to break down during tutoring and just let her quit early when it was clear how much she was struggling, but he stayed strong.

"Y, A, M...you say that's most of the letters? Y, A, M...Yam..." Her eyes widened against her ivory skin tone, lips parting alluringly in shock. "It's not...Yami is it?" She asked, and he was silent for a moment, fear grabbing hold of him before he shook it off.

There was nothing wrong with her knowing his name. Some of him had been desperate for her to know it after all, he'd been hinting all week.

"It is," He replied calmly and her smile slowly disappeared as it sunk it.

"But Yami means darkness," She said with a frown, looking up quickly at him and stepping closer despite herself. So what if it was inappropriate? So was being on first name basis with a teacher, personal space really didn't matter at this point.

"You don't think it represents me well?" He asked, eyebrow raising again as though daring her to bring up the past. She had seen him judge people, always rightly but still cruelly. She didn't know the fits of depression he had fallen into after getting his own body but still...how could she think he was anything but dark?

"Dark? That's a joke, you're anything but dark," She contradicted with a scornfully honest laugh that tweaked his heart. She truly believed in him...it was one of the many reasons he liked her so Ra-damned much.

Sliding closer smoothly he raised her hand, tumbling their fingers together in a twisted mess that felt so right. She seemed to think so as she fluttered her lashes at him.

"What am I then?" He murmured, knowing he was being unfair as he narrowed passionate eyes at her and she swallowed slightly as she tried to meet them. Amber against ruby wasn't a true comparison in her opinion.

"You've always been patient and kind and...Downright sweet sometimes," She replied in as strong a voice as she could manage. "Not only would I be totally lost without you I wouldn't be nearly as happy as I am. And trust me, 'dark' is not my type," She continued then clamped her mouth shut turning pink when she realized what she'd said.

"So I'm your 'type'?" He questioned with a small smirk as she blushed more, not meeting his eyes. Tilting her head with one demanding yet irresistible hand he observed her for a moment, seeing the widening in her amber eyes as she seemed to catch where he was going with this.

"You know I wouldn't really mind if I was your type," He said quietly in a hushed voice that spoke just to her as he grinned enough to flash his canines before leaning in and kissing her almost curiously. He held the embrace, long enough for them both to feel the heat between their tender skin and how softly her lips melted into his like hot wax, moulding perfectly to his the way only lips can.

When he pulled back he gave a small contented –no, a happy sigh, so slight she wondered if she imagined it, but she couldn't have imagined up his next words.

"You are truly a hikari in my darkness," He mused quietly, all the while stroking her face in that gently curious way as though memorizing the feel of her skin beneath his hand. She tried to speak but nothing came out, cheeks still flushed and eyes wide as ever they had been.

Suddenly her hand was no longer in his and doubt came ripping through his chest in the nanosecond where there was no contact between them, before her arms were around his neck, burying her face in his chest.

He was taken off guard, much as he had been the first time she hugged him in such a way but just like on Sunday he found himself liking it very much as he held her patiently, waiting for her to gather courage as she conveniently hid her face from him.

When she pulled away that dazed look still danced in her eyes but she also looked a bit sheepish as he brought his hand back up from her waist to brush back a lock of her coco coloured hair.

"I'm sorry to act so strangely it's just, um...I've never been kissed before," She admitted shyly and he was caught by his surprise. How could someone so beautiful never have been kissed before even by wayward lips? Inside and outside, such beauty was unparalleled by anyone else he had met or expected to meet.

"That was your first kiss?" He confirmed ponderingly and when she nodded he flashed another gorgeous miniscule grin.

"Then I think I'd also like to claim your second," He said firmly before stealing in again to do just that. She didn't resist his sweet advances, though he didn't deepen it or take it any farther than the first, just enjoy having him and her and all their togetherness.

... (Time Jump!) ...

"Guys, guess what!" Yuugi blurted as soon as the bell rang and the two females in front of him both turned to face him with curiosity.

"Couldn't you have said whatever it is you had to say before class?" Anzu questioned and he shook his head impatiently.

"Not enough time. Professor Hopkins, a friend of my Jii-chan's invited him up to his cottage for the weekend while he's out of town so of course I'm going with him to make sure nothing bad happens and Jii-chan says I should invite my friends!" There was something desperate about his voice that made Anzu suspicious though Miho was nodding enthusiastically.

"I love cottages; I hope its warm enough to swim!" She exclaimed and Yuugi looked relieved which was strange because he wasn't best friends with Miho and as far as she knew he didn't like her romantically.

"What's the big rush?" She asked and he flushed a little to her surprise. Maybe he did like Miho after all...

"Well you see Professor Hopkins has this daughter who's staying behind to host us while we're there" –

"You're going up to see Rebecca again this weekend?" A soft voice questioned and all three looked to see 'Mutou-san' walking by almost too innocently, a clever smirk on his face.

"Shut up," Yuugi mumbled, turning bright red as their other friends drew closer, looking curious as to what the conversation was as he pushed his cousin half heartedly.

"I told you I'm not going up to see her she's only fourteen! I was hoping not to be alone with her, that's why I'm inviting people!" He insisted, looking around at the others nervously. From Yami's expression, Anzu was only more suspicious of his motives though she might be a bit biased.

"Her crush on you is entertaining to watch though," Was all he pointed out as he walked away. Jounouchi watched him doubtfully then shrugged and threw his arm around the smaller Mutou's shoulders.

"Don't worry about it Yuug, you know I'll be right there with you!" He said cheerfully and Yuugi smiled gratefully.

"Honda?" He asked and he looked once at the excited Miho before also agreeing enthusiastically.

"Sure, my parents will definitely say yes!" He agreed and Yuugi relaxed, the blush fading out his cheeks.

"Anzu?" He asked politely, turning to his oldest friend.

"Um...I probably can come..." She said hesitantly, staring over his shoulder and he knew exactly who she was looking at. She sighed a little as Mutou-san avoided her gaze, an uncharacteristically blue feeling spreading within her.

It wasn't like she could straight up ask him in front of everyone else after all and even if she could, what would she say? He wasn't technically her boyfriend or technically anything other than a friend and a tutor.

The thought of being 'friends-with-benefits' made something twist inside her nastily. It was one thing she thought she'd never be involved with.

"Bakura-kun, how about you?" Yuugi asked eagerly but he also seemed hesitant to agree, staring at Anzu instead. Gesturing to the side she frowned as he pulled her away from the others to talk quietly.

"Do you not want to go, Bakura-kun?" She asked kindly and he shook his head quickly.

"No, of course that's not it, I'll come, it's just that...well me and Marik haven't been dating all that long I guess but I still want to invite him," He admitted. It was true, she thought, he and Marik had been 'dating' though keeping it quiet for a couple weeks now, as long as she and Yami's secretive fling had been going on as well.

It really wasn't much of a fling, she thought bitterly. She liked the short kisses, the laughing and smiling...not the secrets though. She really disliked those. She hadn't even told Miho or Yuugi explicitly about what had gone down between them.

"I understand if you're nervous about asking him, but if you don't want to I will," She assured him flippantly. "Everyone's curious to meet my 'task master' dance partner anyways," She joked with a small laugh that he returned, a grateful smile spreading across his relaxed features that had been so much happier and less moping lately.

"Thank you Anzu-chan! That means a lot to me," He thanked her profusely then went on his way, making room for the next person in line to talk to her quietly aside.

This time she was surprised to see...Yuugi? He should be busy planning the trip with Jounouchi and Miho, not looking all worriedly at her.

"He told me how close you guys are right now," He blurted out all of a sudden, pushing back his wavy blond bangs. She froze, not sure what to think let alone say. He had actually told Yuugi?

"I want you to invite him. I mean I would have anyways but...I think you should. I think he really wants you to since I brought it up," He continued in a rush and she thought it was a little cute that he was obviously so concerned about his cousin.

True, Yami would never admit that his ego was bruised if she hadn't invited him so it was good he gave her the heads up but she couldn't help the warm feeling spreading within. Even if it was just to Yuugi, he had still told someone about his feelings for her and their small confessions.

"And don't forget Anzu...we'll be among friends all weekend. There's nothing to hide there," He whispered in a conspiring voice, violet eyes wide as though letting her in on a big secret. Yami really must have told him everything.

"Thanks Yuugi, I'll definitely think about it," She told him with a big smile, a nervous flutter in her chest nearly squashed by her excitement. How did you go about inviting your friends-with-benefits/tutor to the beach with your friends?

She had never exactly tried it before...

A/N: Alright, I know someone's going to hate me for putting Rebecca in this story. I beg for mercy! Honestly I always thought her crush on Yuugi was cute if also annoying...and that's what I try to portray in this story. I promise it will be a very small very subtle thing, so if it annoys you I wouldn't worry too much. Hope people liked the LOVE in this chapter ;)

Here's a preview for the next chapter:

"Was that Mazaki-san?" He asked in a deep voice, stopping at the other end of the desk where he picked up the lap top he had left behind. Yami stiffened but knew that lying wouldn't help the situation.

"Yes," He said quietly, avoiding his sensei's gaze carefully. He had no doubt that if Anzu's friends were questioning their relationship that his sensei must have some doubts as well, none of which he wanted to feed.

Dun-dun-dun...Yami's been a bad boy, now he's gonna be in trouble! Maybe ;)